There are some foods that we are used to buying ready-made. It’s easy and effortless. But have you ever thought that it might be really simple to prepare them at home? When you make something at home you know exactly what goes into your food. No added salt. No added sugar. No additives or preservatives. None of the things that you have no idea what their names mean.
This week, we are sharing with you a great recipe for baked beans. You can have them for breakfast, on toast or with eggs. You can have them for lunch with some feta cheese. You can enjoy them as part of your dinner, filling a baked potato.
So step away from the isle of tins at the supermarket. Get some good quality beans. When the ingredients are good, you have to let them shine. Especially with something as simple as baked beans. Trust us, you’ll never go for the ready-made stuff again.
Serves 3-4 (as a main course or 5-6 as side)
You will need:
250g of small beans
5 tbs of extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion
2 cloves of garlic
400g of tomato passata
2 tbs of grape molasses
1 tsp of thyme
1 tbs of smoked paprika
1 tsp of smoked chilli (optional)
pinch of salt
Place the beans in a large pot with water and leave overnight. The next day boil them until cooked but not soft. Drain and keep aside.
In a frying pan, gently fry the onion and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until soft. Add the chopped tomatoes, a few splashes of water, the spices, salt and grape molasses. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes so that flavours develop.
Then transfer into a roasting tray. Add the beans and stir, drizzling with the remaining olive oil.
Bake at 180C for approximately 40min until the beans are very soft, adding some water if needed.
Now, would you really go for the tin again?
